WO Native Will Participate in Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON  Master Sgt. Mark Questad of West Orange, N.J., will perform in the 57th Inauguration of the President of the United States on Jan. 21, 2013, as a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. This marks the Marine Band’s 54th consecutive inaugural appearance.

Questad, a French horn player, joined the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 1992. He began his musical instruction at age 12 with Howard T. Howard. After graduating from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, N.J., he attended The Juilliard School of Music in New York. He holds a bachelor of music degree from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1982 where he studied with Robert Elworthy, Philip Farkas, and Michael Hatfield.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Questad was a member of the Evansville Philharmonic in Indiana, the Owensboro Symphony in Kentucky, and Top Brass. He also has performed with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, the New Philharmonic of New Jersey in Morristown, the Group Opera of New York, the American Arts Ensemble, and the West End Chamber Players. In addition, he has made commercial and soundtrack recordings.

Questad performs with the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.

On March 4, 1801, the Marine Band performed for Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration and research suggests that the band has participated in every presidential inaugural since. An accomplished musician himself, Jefferson recognized the unique relationship between the band and the Chief Executive and is credited with giving the Marine Band the title, “The President’s Own.”

PLAYING AMERICA’S MUSIC SINCE 1798

Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, SE, Washington, DC 20390-5000 Telephone: 202/433-5809 ● Fax: 202/433-4752 Concert Information: 202/433-4011 ● Internet: www.marineband.usmc.milTo arrange an interview with Master Sgt. Questad or for more information, please contact Staff Sgt. Brian Rust, Marine Band Public Affairs Specialist at brian.rust@usmc.mil, (202) 433-5811 or visit www.marineband.usmc.mil.

The Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. President since John Adams. Known as “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.